November 6, 2007

Cyprus confirms foot and mouth outbreak

An EU expert confirmed an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in two sheep herds near a cluster of farms in Cyprus.

Approximately 15,000 animals were in the "risk zone" which is three-kilometer (two-mile) near the two farms.

Agriculture Minister Fotis Fotiou says the European Commission has banned all meat and dairy exports from Cyprus since Monday and has prohibited the transport of all livestock including pigs, cows, and sheeps.

A quarantine has been set up extending for two miles around the disease-stricken farms and another six miles surveillance zone in the south of the island.